Tag: Street Art

Careful Now!

We live in a town of about 8500 people. After 6 months here, i don’t think it’s unfair to call it sleepy. Paddy’s Day is a big deal, and Ironman weekend brought out the crowds, but you could still find a seat at most restaurants, and the streets were quiet by 1 am.

If there’s any major controversy in Youghal, it’s the grumbling from some quarters about the new greenway going in over the old railroad. there are plenty of people who think reworking the railroad and bringing Youghal into Cork City’s commuter orbit (it’s roughly 30 miles away) makes more sense than a bike/ped greenway to Midleton. But the greenway’s been approved and funded and work has already started, so it’s unlikely that the train is going to happen any time soon. And it will have to find a new route anyway.

Second issue that i’ve seen has been dog poop. Ireland in general is probably 30 years behind the US in acculturating dog owners to pick up after their dogs, especially on urban sidewalks, but also on the several hiking trails around town and along the beaches. There are signs in strategic areas warning dog owners that they face a fine up to €300 for not picking up after their dog. But in the entirety of County Cork, which stretches about 100 miles to the west and is home to over half a million people, only 3 fines were levied in all of 2021. I’ve met our representative on the Cork County Council (who is an independent and quite visible around town during many social events) and shared a few thoughts on the issue. She seemed to like one of my ideas, so we’ll see if things change up next year or not.

Which makes this “protest truck” all the more interesting.

From what i gather, the coffee shop off to the right of the frame has been putting a few tables and chairs out in the street, and taking a couple of parking spaces in the process. I’m pretty sure they close at 4 pm. The only time i’ve seen musicians there was during Ironman, where a guitar/clarinet duo set up a few meters beyond where the two people are sitting in the frame.

The truck owner seems particularly riled by this, though. And i’m on tenterhooks waiting to see just what is going to happen over the coming weeks.

Stay tuned!

Tags Ireland, Street Art

Cobh Cork City Street Art

A Random Assortment of Street Art

Post author By barry
Post date February 16, 2020
No Comments on A Random Assortment of Street Art

Photos from the past 10 days. All from various parts of Cork City, except the butterfly mural, which is near the Cobh train station, and the soldiers mural, which is near Cobh town center.

Tags PROC, Street Art

Cobh Trains

Cobh

Post author By barry
Post date February 13, 2020
2 Comments on Cobh

On Wednesday, we bought a couple of Leap Cards and took the train down to Cobh. Cobh is in the big part of Cork Harbor, and is a port of call for the big cruise ships like Norwegian, Cruise and Maritime, and Princess. That’s also part of its history – the Titanic stopped in Cobh after leaving Southampton UK on its way to New York, and the Lusitania was nearest the port on its way back to Liverpool from New York when it was torpedoed in 1915. Both events feature prominently in the memorials set up throughout the town.

*A few views through a dirty train window. On the lower right is Fota Castle.*

Many of the people we’ve met have encouraged a visit to Cobh. It’s a scenic enough town, but, at least when there are no cruise ships at dock, a lot of the restaurants are closed, and many of the bars have their kitchens closed as well. On leaving the train station, the first stop is the Heritage Center, which provides details on both the Titanic and Lusitania, as well as some of the history of Irish emigration.

This statue commemorates Annie Moore, the first immigrant to pass through the new Immigration Center at Ellis Island, in New York City, in 1892. My family arrived there at the beginning of the 20th century. Claire was able to find her grandfather’s embarkation records. He sailed on the Saxonia, which departed Queenstown (as it was known before Irish independence) in April 1906, and arrived in Boston on the 26th of the month.

It’s about a 20 minute walk from the Heritage Center through town and beyond, to the Titanic Memorial Garden.

*Bottom right – view through the channel to the ocean from the garden.*

Survivors and victims of the sinking of the Lusitania were brought to Cobh.

Like any number of towns we’ve visited, the dominant building in Cobh is the Cathedral. This one is St. Colman’s.

Like many great buildings, it’s bigger on the inside.

Climb the hill past the school and the residential part of town, and the views of the countryside are pretty spectacular.

For me, though, the architecture, especially the old residences, was the most interesting thing in town. I could spend days there taking pictures in the changing light.

Tags Irish emigration, Lusitania, Old houses, Pipe organ, Street Art, Titanic

Cork City Ireland Shandon District

Shandon

Post author By barry
Post date February 8, 2020
No Comments on Shandon

Across the river, and a bit to the east of our apartment, is the Shandon district. It’s old Cork, home to St. Anne’s Church and the Cathedral of Sts. Mary and Anne, as well as the old Butter Exchange and Museum.

We left the apartment early, discovered the local farmers market on our side of the river, and spent a few hours exploring Shandon and its surroundings.

This one will definitely also make an appearance in the next street art post.

One thing i’ve noticed about Cork is that there’s not really much in the way of dedicated green space. You just have to find nature where you can.

Learned that Mother Jones was born here 183 years ago. We could use her now, no?

Today’s Election Day in Ireland. I wonder if Senator Googly Eyes will retain his seat?

And just a few more pics of our little walkabout.

Left, gravestone at St. Anne’s; Right, the 4 clocks on the tower at St. Anne’s are known locally (and, i would guess, affectionately) as the Four Liars, as they are never in agreement as to the time.

I found my peeps, though.

Heineken has a brewery on the edge of the district. Don’t know if they give tours, but it explains why the brand is so prevalent in this city.

They’re everywhere these days, aren’t they?

Tags Butter Exchange, Cork City, Heineken, Mother Jones, Rainbows, Shandon Bells, Street Art

Cork City Ireland

Street art in Cork City

First in a series.

On our first visit here, I was impressed by the extent of street art around town. We’ve only been here five days, so I haven’t yet had the chance to learn any of the history of the People’s Republic of Cork, but my guess is that it’s probably 2 or 3 core members, with a surrounding, ever-changing cast of supporters. That is, assuming they’re still active. Some of their artwork does seem relatively recent.

Not everything I’ve been able to photograph is theirs, but they are rather ubiquitous.

And they clearly have access to some large printing equipment.

My general impression is that the politics are more implied than baldly stated, but that’s not always the case.

Then, of course, there’s always Phil Lynott. His image was everywhere last time we were in Ireland. I imagine before we leave, i’ll have a whole gallery of Lynott mural photos.